Device for making sculpture



NOV 25, 1969 D. D. DURLAND 3,479,691

DEVICE FOR MAKING SCULPTURE Filed July 17, 1967{IIIIIIIIIllIllIIIIIIIIl/IIII/IIIA4 1 'llllllllllll//l/lllllllllllllIINVENTOQ o/farf/f //f/a/zd :United States Patent O 3,479,691 DEVICE FORMAKING SCULPTURE Donovan D. Durland, 1183 W. Main St., Decatur, Ill.62522 Filed July 17, 1967, Ser. No. 653,909 Int. Cl. B29c 1 3 00 U.S.Cl. 18-5.1 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device for producing asculpture of a human head comprising a head enclosure having a removablecover and back section. The head enclosure also contains a means forsupplying air to the subject during the making of a mold and a means forretaining the mold within the head enclosure while the subjects head isremoved. The mold in the head enclosure is then cast with a solidforming liquid.

This invention relates to a device for producing sculpture andparticularly relates to a method and device for producing a life-likeimpression mold of a persons head and for casting this impression.

Sculpturing, which is broadly defined as the art of lproducing arepresentation of a person in the round, is

one of the oldest arts known to mau. One particular type of sculpturewhich is easily recognizable is the bust. This type of sculpture is arepresentation of only the persons head, although in many instances itwill also include the persons shoulders and chest. However, this latterinc1usion has limited significance in the art and generally serves onlyas a base or pedestal for the Sculptured head. Although sculpturing isnormally identified with a highly skilled artist working with a hammerand chisel, sculpturing is much broader and includes any representationin the round that is carved, molded, or cast from a material such asstone, clay, plaster, metal, wood, ice, and the like. This invention isconcerned with the latter two, namely, molding and casting andspecifically with the molding and casting of a persons head.

Over the years many techniques have been proposed for molding andcasting a bust or life-like representation of a persons head. One of theearliest methods reported is for a sculptor to sculpt a clayreproduction of a head from which a mold is produced. The mold is thencast with a liquid or molten material, solidified and the mold chippedaway. Although a durable reproduction can be obtained by this method,only one casting is possible per mold and further, a gifted sculptor isrequired to produce the clay reproduction particularly, if a true andaccurate representation of the persons head is desired. Also, thismethod is time-consuming and under present. economic conditions is toocostly for the average individual.

More recently a method has been proposed in US. Patent 996,783, forexample, for making reproductions from life. According to this patent, anumber of thin, light layers of waX are applied directly to a pesronsface and head until the desired thickness is obtained. The wax -is thenremoved in pieces and reassembled to produce a mold from which a castingcan be made. One of the disadvantages of such a technique is that thewax must be removed carefully and, if accurate reproductions ofappendages such as ears and nose are to be obtained, the wax must beremoved in many small pieces and later carefully reassembled. Further,this process requires that many thin layers of wax be applied in orderto avoid distorting the facial features by applying too much of the waxtoo quickly. Considerable discomfort and danger to the subject is alsoencountered by this technique.

JCC

Another method for producing a life-like mold is to apply a quickdrying, solid forming material such as plaster of Paris over thesubjects face which, after cooling, is removed in pieces andreassembled. The disadvantages of this process are similar to thoseencountered in the above wax process. However, with this process thereis the additional disadvantage that the softer liesh parts of thesubjects face are depressed on application of the heavy plaster causingdistortions and inaccuracies in the mold. These distortions must then becorrected by casting the mold and making another mold from the originalcasting.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a devicewhich overcomes the disadvantages heretofore encountered in producing alife-like reproduction of a human head.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device for producing areusable, one piece impression of a persons head quickly, safely andeconomically.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a device which canbe used in both molding and casting a bust.

Another object of this invention is to provide an impression formingdevice which can be quickly and easily disassembled to insure maximumsafety of the subject While an impression of the su'bjects head is beingmade.

Other objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosure andaccompanying drawings in which like numbers represent like parts in thevarious views and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View showing generally one embodiment of thisinvention and its proposed use.

FIGURE 2 is a top cross-sectional view of the head enclosure andenclosure holder immediately below the enclosure cover.

FIGURE 3 is a view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2 showing a head inposition for the taking of an impression.

FIGURE 4 is a magnified perspective view of a retaining means.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective overturned view showing how the main parts ofthe head enclosure are slidably united.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG- URE 1 which showsthe use of one embodiment of a device constructed in accordance withthis invention wherein a head enclosure designated generally by numeral10 with cover 11 is slidably engaged and held 'by an enclosure holderdesignated generally by numeral 12. The enclosure holder is mounted tovertical walls 23 and 25 of enclosure support shown generally by numeral14 fby rods 26 passing through holes 41 located in matching opposedrelation in side walls 13 and 15 of the enclosure holder and verticalwalls 23 and 25. Seat 16 having a back support 17 passing through itshorizontal seat section 19 at substantially a right angle is pivotallymounted to vertical walls 23 and 25 by rod 20 passing through a holebored laterally through back support 17. Forward pivotal movement of theseat is prevented by rod 21 running horizontally under the seat sectionand mounted to the two vertical walls of the enclosure support. Withthis arrangement only a backward tilting movement of the seat ispossible. Subject 18 is shown in a seated position with his head in headenclosure 10. As the seat is tilted backward |by the downward pushingaction of the subjects feet, the subjects head is lifted slightly up andout of the rear p0rtion of the head enclosure. This allows the subjectto withdraw his head easily and quickly from the area of the headenclosure.

Side walls 13 and 15 of enclosure holder 12 are held in vertical uprightposition by lower horizontal tray 22 and upperA horizontal tray 24separated by front wall 29 of the enclosure holder. The enclosureholder, Vas previously indicated, is mounted to the enclosure support byrods 26 passing through holes 41 of side walls 13 and 15 and verticalwalls 23 and 25.

Vertical side walls 23 and 25 of the enclosure support are held invertical upright position by four horizontal connecting rods 27 ofsubstantially equal length extending between and mounted to each of theside walls.

Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 3 which show a top and sidecross-sectional view of head enclosure 10 slidably engaged and held byenclosure holder 12 and FIG- URE 5 which shows an overturned perspectiveof the three main parts of the head enclosure.

Broadly, the head enclosure performs a number of i important functionsduring the taking of an elastic impression, the subsequent casting ofthe impression to produce a bust-like representation. The headenclosures primary function is to enclose`a subjects head and neck andto supply the subject enclosed therein with a breathing atmospherethrough a breathing means shown generally by numeral 28. The headenclosure also receives and holds an impression forming material whichis introduced therein and which encompasses the subjects head and neck.Also, the head enclosure is adapted to retain the impression formingmaterial after it has set and the subjects head has been removed.Finally, the head enclosure holds the impression or mold in its setposition while the impression is being cast.

The head enclosure comprises broadly a front section indicated generallyby numeral 30, a detachable rear section indicated generally by numeral32, and a breathing means shown generally by numeral 28. The front andrear sections in slidable engagement provides an enclosure having anopening at the top through which an impression forming material can beadded. The top opening is adapted to receive cover 11 which is normallyin place during the casting operation which will be described in greaterdetail later in this disclosure. Another opening at the bottom isprovided for encircling the subjects neck and through which the castingmaterial can be introduced during the aforementioned casting operation.

Considering first in greater detail the front section which can begenerally described as being scoop shaped and having a front wall 34,two identical side walls 36 and 38, and a partial or incomplete bottomWall 40. Bottom wall 40 follows angularly the cut of the bottom portionof side walls 36 and 38 of the head enclosure forming a pan-like sectionshown generally in FIGURE 5 by numeral 31. The front section is designedto enclose the front and two sides of a subjects head. The pan sectionis specifically designed to pass under a subjects chin and to surroundthe front half of the subjects neck.

Side walls 36 and 38 of front section 30 proceed rearwardly from frontwall 34 in substantially right angle relations to the front wall. Thetop edges of the side walls are essentially straight and in asubstantially parallel relation to the bottom edges of the side wallswith the eX- ception of the middle third portion of the bottom edgewhich is cut on an angle upward and away from the front wall. Thisangular cut results in a side wall having a front vertical edge longerthan its back vertical edge. Bottom wall 40, as stated above, followsthe cut of the side walls forming a pan-like section extending betweenthe two side walls. The angular portion of the bottom wall extendsslightly beyond the horizontal portion of the bottom wall forming aledge 44 extending horizontally between the two side walls. This ledgeis of such size and shape that it meets flush with the back edge oflower horizontal tray 22 when both edges are in abutting relation makinga continuous outer surface between the head enclosure and the enclosureholder when the head enclosure and the enclosure holder aretelescopically engaged.

Referring to FIGURE 5 which shows an overturned perspective view of thehead enclosure wherein approxi- 1.v mately midway between the two sidewalls 36 and 38, a recession 48 approximating a half circle is` cut intothe slanted portion of the Ibottom wall 40 to accommodate the lowerfront portion of a persons neck.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, triangular braces 50 and 52 are vertically`mounted one in each of the two corners formed by the junction of frontwall 34 and side walls 36 and 38 to reinforce the front section of thehead enclosure. The triangular` braces also house pins 54 (one on eachside) in holes 94 which position and hold the front section of cover 11on the head enclosure. Pins 54 may be removed quickly from theirrespective housings by merely pulling the pins outwardly and away fromthe holes in the head enclosure. VThis releases thefront section of thecover from the enclosure holder. The triangular braces also serve toreduce the volume within the head enclosure and thereby reduces thequantity of impression forming ,material required for obtaining a moldor impression.

A critical feature of this invention is that the inner surface of frontsection 30 of enclosure holder 10 be adapted with a retaining means 56to retain'and hold fast the impression forming material after theimpressionforming material has set during removal of the subjects head.The impression or mold thereby produced is retained in the enclosureholder by the retaining means. The head enclosure, with the impressionor mold firmly retained within the enclosure and in the exact sameposition it was in when the mold was formed, may then be inverted andthe impression cast. By not having to remove the mold or impression fromthe head enclosure during the casting operation, distortion of theimpression is minimized, if not completely avoided.

In one embodiment of this invention, the retaining means 58 is showngenerally as a slitted omega shaped element with perforations 59. Amagnication of such element is shown in FIGURE 4. However, thisretaining means can take on almost any size and shape and can be part ofor separate from the inner surface of the front section. Preferably, theretaining means is an element which can be easily removed from the headenclosure. This facilitates cleaning of the retaining means after thenold or impression has been cast and separated thererom.

More specifically, the retaining means 56 follows generally the insidecontour of the inner wall of the front section and is held vertically bywings 58 to ribs 60 and 62 mounted to side walls 36 and 38 respectively.As previously noted, the retaining means 56 contains a plurality ofperforations 59 through which a small portion of the impression formingmaterial can pass. After the impression forming material has set, theimpression forming material is held firmly to the retaining means by theperforations and thereby permits the subjects head to be separated fromthe impression forming material without disrupting the position andshape of the subjects impression produced therein.

Referring again to FIGURES 2 and 3 which show a breathing meansdesignated generally by number 28 and which comprises a threaded pipe 66which passes through apertures in front wall 34 and transverse wall 29.Retaining means 56 has a vertical slit which slides around and over thethreaded pipe 66. Pipe 66 is adjustably held in position by an innerlock nut` 68 and outer lock nut 70 which, when tightened toward thecenter of the pipe, tightly sandwiches the front wall 34 and thetransverse wall 29 between them locking the front section of the headenclosure to the enclosure holder. This retains the pipe in a firm,substantially perpendicular relation to the front and vertical walls.With the above arrangement, the adjustable breathing means may beslidably positioned in the head enclosure to any desirable depthforsupplying a breathing atmosphere to a subject within the enclosure.This permits a subject to breath comfortably while an impression of thesubjects head is being made.

A female threaded elbow 72 is screwed onto that portion of the threadedpipe which extends into the head enclosure giving an upward curvature toa point just below the subjects nostrils. The other end of the elbow iscovered with a threaded cap 74 having two small threaded tubular members76 and 78 protruding through the cap and extending outward toward thenostrils of the subject. The tubular members are of such size and shapethat they can fit snugly into the nostrils of the subject and therebymake breathing easy for the subject during the time when the impressionis being made. Although the breathing means is shown in FIGURE 3 assupplying air to the subject through the subjects nostrils, suchbreathing means can be adapted with a breathing piece, if desired, forsupplying air through the subjects mouth. Since all members of thebreathing means are threaded, the position and length of these memberscan be readily varied to permit the breathing means to be easily andquickly adjusted to the breathing needs of most all subjects.

The rear section 32 of head enclosure 10 comprises a vertical back wall80 and bottom Wall 82 mounted in perpendicular relation. The back walland bottom wall being supported by triangular shaped vertical braces 84and 86 mounted vertically thereto. The mounted triangular braces alsoserve as the side walls forming the complete rear section. Approximatelymidway along the leading edge of the bottom wall, a half circle-likerecession 88 is cut into the bottom wall. Recession 88 is directlyopposite to and is approximately of the same diameter as recession 48.When the front and rear sections are telescopically engaged, a circlebent along its diameter is formed (shown in FIGURES 2 and 5) forencircling the subjects neck. The leading edge of the bottom wall of therear section is reciprocally cut to receive the back edge of the bottomwall of the front section to form a continuous appearing bottom wallwith a circular portion removed from the center thereof.

Referring now particularly to FIGURE 5, it can be seen that the width ofrear section 32 is slightly less than the width of front section 30 thuspermitting the rear section to telescopically engage the front sectionto form a box-like enclosure open at the top and having a hole in thebottom, said bottom hole being of such diameter that a subjects neck canbe encircled thereby. An enclosure cover 11 is provided to cover theopening at the top of the head enclosure. The enclosure cover 11 has tworib sides 89 and 90 mounted to the bottom portion near the side edges ofthe enclosure cover. When the cover 11 is in proper position on the headenclosure, the side ribs override and closely engage the side walls 36and 38 of the front section forming a tight cover fitting for the headenclosure. At each end of the rib sides, holes 91 are provided whichcoincide with holes 93 and 94 located along the walls of the front andrear section for receiving a pair of slidably insertable pins 54 and 92which hold cover 11 in locked position. Pins 92 also lock and hold frontsection 30 to rear section 32. An additional set of pins 75 and 77(shown in FIGURE l) pass through matched holes 71 and 73 (shown inFIGURE 5) located at or near the ends of the front and rear sections ofthe head enclosure. It should be noted that these pins 92, 75 and 77 arelocated on both sides of the head enclosure and are preferably onlyslidably engaged. Thus these pins can be removed quickly enabling therear section of head enclosure to be separated in a matter of secondsfrom the front section still retained in the enclosure holder. Thisassembly thereby insures maximum safety at all times for the subjectwhose head is enclosed by the head enclosure.

The enclosure holder is designed to telescopically hold and position thehead enclosure in the position desired for taking of an impression. Theenclosure holder is mounted to the vertical walls 23 and 25 of enclosuresupport 14 by rods 26 which pass through holes 41 located in the sidewalls 13 and 15 of the enclosure holder. Lower horizontal tray 22 andupper horizontal tray 24 and transverse wall 29 are mounted to sidewalls 13 and 15. The lower horizontal tray 22 extends rearwardly beyondthe head enclosure permitting the bottom wall of the head enclosure torest on the rearward portion. The transverse wall 29 is parallel to andlits flush against the front wall 34 of the front section when intelescopic engagement. The length and width of the side walls of theenclosure holder are such that the head enclosure can be telescopicallyengaged into the enclosure holder and thereby gives the head enclosurethe necessary position and support needed while the impression is beingtaken. As previously mentioned, the transverse wall also possesses anopening through which the breathing means extends outward to theatmosphere.

In the making of a sculpture or bust, the enclosure holder 12 is mountedto the enclosure support 14 by placing rods 26 through matching holes 41located in both the enclosure holder and the enclosure support. Thefront section 30 of head enclosure 14 is then telescopically insertedinto the enclosure holder 12. The subject 18 is seated in seat 16 andhis head placed into the front section of the head enclosure. After thesubject has been cornfortably seated and his head is properly aligned inthe front section of the head enclosure, cotton is inserted into theears of the subject and the subjects hair is greased or covered with aclose fitting net or cap.

The breathing means 28 is adjusted and tubular members 76 and 78 of thebreathing means are inserted into the subjects nostrils. Once it hasbeen determined that the subject is breathing comfortably through thebreathing means, the rear section 32 of the head enclosure istelescopically engaged into the front section 30. The space between thesubjects neck -as well as other major void areas in the head enclosureare packed with a filler material such as cloth, paper, sponge rubber,and the like to minimize loss and to reduce the amount of impressionforming material added to the head enclosure.

An elastic impression forming material such as alginate, rubber base,silicone, resins, gums or any other elastic or flexible setting creme,paste or highly viscous liquid material is mixed and after the subjectseyes are closed, is poured into the head enclosure and around thesubjects neck and head. After the head enclosure is completely filledwith the impression forming material enclosure cover 11 is slid intoposition from the back to the front. Any excess material will ybeskimmed olf the top and collected on upper horizontal tray 24.

After the impression forming material has set, the enclosure cover andthe rear section of the head enclosure are removed, a dull spatula isgently inserted into the impression forming material at the base of thesubjects neck and in slitting motion is moved upward along the back ofthe neck to a point about two or three inches from the subjects foreheador hair line. The impression forming material is then separated from thesubjects head by pulling apart the slitted portions. The impressionforming Inaterial is loosened from around the subjects ears by placingones hands in between the subjects head and the impression formingmaterial and separating the impression forming material by movement ofthe fingers. The elastic impression forming material can be stretchedslightly whenever and wherever necessary to assist in separatingstubborn areas from the subjects head. On a prearranged signal thesubject pushes backward with his feet forcing the pivotally mounted seatto tilt backward. This backward tilting action forces the subjects headslightly up and out of the impression forming material. The upwardaction also separates the subj'ect from the breathing means. Theimpression forming material is retained in the front section of the headby the retaining means 56.

After the subject has been removed from the head enclosure, the rearsection and enclosure cover of the head enclosure are replaced. Pins`54, 92, 75 and 77 are placed in their respective holes in the headenclosure and lock nut 70 removed. The entire head enclosure is thenpulled out from the enclosure holder and inverted on a fiat surface(inverted position shown in FIGURE The impression or mold may now beinspected through the neck opening with a light and mirror to determineif the slitted section of the impression or mold are properly joined. Ifdesired, the slitted portions may be glued together, however, this isnot generally necessary.

An artificial stone, cold cure resin, liquid metal or other solidifyingmaterial is poured into the mold through the neck opening and allowed toharden. After the mold has been cast and the material hardened, thecover and rear section of the head enclosure are removed and theimpression or mold separated from the sculpture by the same methodemployed in removing the subjects head from the head enclosure.

With the apparatus and process of this invention more than one bust maybe prepared from the same cast as the elastic impression or mold c-an beseparated from the subject or casting without breaking or otherwisedamaging the mold.

While but one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described,it will be apparent that certain other changes and modifications may bemade therein. It is therefore to be understood that it is not intendedto limit the invention to the embodiment shown, but only by th scopeofthe claims which follow. i

I claim:

1. A device for producing an elastic impression of a human headcomprising in combination (1) a head enclosure for enclosing a subjectshead and holding an elastic impression forming material, said headenclosure having (a) an opening in the bottom of said head enclosure forencircling the neck of the subject and (b) an opening in the top of saidenclosure through which the elastic impression forming material can beadded to encompass the subjects head enclosed therein, (c) a removableback section to permit easy removal of the subjects head and (d) a frontsection having (1) a retaining means along its inner surface forretaining and holding fast the impression forming material after saidmaterial has gelled and permitting removal of the subjects head,

(2) a means mounted through said front section for supplying a breathingatmosphere to a subject within said enclosure and (3) a means forholding said front section to said back section.

2. Device of claim 1, wherein said retaining means is removable.

3. Device of claim 1, wherein said retaining means comprises an omegashaped member having a plurality of perforations, said perforated member4being vertically mounted between said inner surface of the frontsection and the subjects face.

4. Device of claim 3, wherein said breathing means comprises a hollowmember passing through said front section, said hollow member having ameans at one end for directing and carrying a breathing atmosphere to asubject enclosed within said head enclosure.

5. Device of claim 4, wherein said hollow member is adjustable andwherein one end of said hollow member is adapted with a means forfitting into the subjects nose or mouth and thereby permitting thesubject to ybreathe normally while an impression of the subjects head isbeing produced.

6. Device of claim 3, wherein said breathing means is an -adjustablepipe slidably inserted through said front section with one end of saidpipe leading to the atmosphere Vand the other end leading to thesubjects nose, said latter end having a capped member and two smallertubular members extending through said cap member for tight placement ineach of the subjects nostrils.

7. Device of claim 1, wherein said head enclosure is held by a headenclosure holding means.

8. Device of claim 7, wherein said head enclosure is telescopicallypositioned in and held by said head enclosure holding means.

9. Device of claim 7, wherein said head enclosure holding means ismounted to an enclosure support.

10. Device of claim 9, wherein a seating means is pivotally mounted tosaid enclosure holder directly below the enclosure holding means, topermit the subject to sit comfortably while his head is enclosed by saidhead enclosure.

11. Device of claim 10, wherein said seating means is pivotally mountedto prevent a forward pivotal movement and to permit a subject seated insaid seating means to be raised slightly as the subjects head is drawnbackward away from the head enclosure by the backward pivotal action ofthe seating means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 945,537 l/19l0 Hoffman 18-5.l996,783 7/ 1911 Moreau 264--222 1,902,627 3/1933 Elbogen, 18-5.12,043,503 6/1936 Aschenborn 18-5.l

WILBUR L. MCBAY, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 2611-222

